re_alignment | [Video/Action] [Originating from Solian Temple]

Entry tags:

✘ tf: prime | wheeljack

[Video/Action] [Originating from Solian Temple]

[When Wheeljack awoke, it took a moment for those optics to adjust to the lighting of the temple. He hadn't remembered falling asleep...in fact, he couldn't remember what felt like a significant gap of time. Maybe a few hours? Knowing him, he'd probably had too much high-grade, as Wreckers do, and passed out. But still, why was he here? This wasn't anywhere near the bar, nor would someone just give up when his (and Bulkhead's) room was only around the next couple of corners. That's just plain rude.

But there was something else. Something felt...missing. He couldn't place exactly what, but it sort of chewed at the back of his mind. Figuring it was just him trying to remember the events, he shook his helm and shakily sat upright. Yep, this was the Solian Temple, all right. His eyes didn't lie to him. And he's by the altar too. Just like the newcomers do.

That was...interesting.

He gave his arms a few flexes, making sure everything was still functional before he saw his Link lying next to him. Oh, so they couldn't bring him to his room, but they left his Link just in case he needed it. That was nice. He picks it up and flicks it on, eyes squinting at the light of the screen.]

So...who do I give thanks for takin' me home from the bar?

[Guess who's back, everyone!]

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[But doing all the work is good for him.

It's a little reluctant, but he agrees.]

Fine, I'll be here.

[The feed clicks off, and the sound of footsteps isn't too long after as Wheeljack makes his way back to their bunk. Upon entrance, Wheeljack looks a little hastened, as if hoping he wasn't being too slow.

Thankfully, Bulkhead is there.]

Bulk...

[Once the feed is off, Bulkhead's pushing himself to his feet, to wait for the other Wrecker to arrive. It's not that long, it seems like forever but there he is. Bulkhead just stares for a moment almost in disbelief. After a week of thinking he's dead, that he'll never see him again. There he is. Looking like nothing ever happened to him.

Wheeljack's voice finally snaps him out of it.]

Jackie.. [There's so much in that one word. But at the moment, he's going just to go up to the other and just grab him, pulling him into a hug, even if he can't pick him up.]

[By now, Wheeljack should be used to hugs from the Wrecker. It was a staple of their friendship. Bulkhead enjoyed that physical contact, and as such, Wheeljack let him. But this time...it was desperate. As if clinging to him like he'd disappear.

Those arms pat the sides of his back, because there's no way in Primus he'd be able to wrap them all around.]

Hey...I'm right here, partner.

[It's not something that Bulkhead gets to indulge in often back home. If at all. Most of the team just wasn't into hugs, even on their worst(or best) days. Pit, he knows Wheeljack doesn't like it that much either, but puts up with it. He's thankful he's indulging him right now, though. His optics closed, worried that if he lets go, Wheeljack will just disappear, or this will be some cruel dream that he'll wake up from and his fellow Wrecker will still be dead.

It takes a few in cycles before he finally gets himself together to pull back some, optics opening again. For the moment he'll keep at least one hand on the others shoulder though.]

I know, I just...never thought I'd see you again. I thought you were gone for good. [He'd seen the other reports of others returning, but he didn't want to get his(or Miko's) hopes up.]

[Closeness wasn't something Wheeljack had grown accustomed to. While Bulkhead learned the concept of what a family sort of was in Team Prime, Wheeljack was still fresh from the Wrecker crew, and...things like this were new to him. Those optics do soften, though, because he could only imagine what another loss would do to him. For a second, he closes them himself, letting the warmth of the hug sink in.

He only opens them when Bulkhead lets go.]

You know me, Bulk. I don't go down that easy.

[There's a slight twitch in the corner of his mouth, as if he's trying to make light of it...even if it's hard to.]

[He wanted to linger longer, enjoy the warmth and the closeness. But he also wanted to speak to him. To hear him talk.

The sadness wavers a little at Wheeljack's attempt at making light of it, his mood lightening a little too.]

I wanted to be out there so badly. Fighting with the rest of you. I hated being stuck in here.

[A fellow Wrecker was tortured live on the link, Wheeljack and others were killed. Though, in a way it was good that he stayed. Somebody had to stay with Miko and make sure she didn't try going herself.]

[As much as Wheeljack won't admit it, Bulkhead holding him was just what he needed. Were his pride not at stake, he'd hold on back, wondering where that gap in his memory went. Why he couldn't remember his own death, and why it happened.

What he did wrong.]

You have a kid to look after, Bulk. Miko almost lost you once.

I'd rather file my own rivets off than send you into that battle.

[Even if he can't recall it.]

[A part of Bulk wishes he was fortunate enough to not remember it either. It was bad enough knowing he died, it's just as hard telling Wheeljack that he died. It's like reliving it all over again.

Way to hit at his own pride. Despite being half dead from Tox-en, he still managed to take down nearly three Insecticons. The sadness falls away as his optics narrow a little.]

I don't g- [And right in his spark. His expression falls again. Miko was what kept him going when he was ready to just give up. Kept him fighting to the end.]

It's a risk we've faced before and probably will again. [It's only half-sparked though as he glances away. Taking risks and brushing death is what Wreckers do. But it still swings back to Miko. Losing him would hit the girl even more than Wheeljack's death did. In his spark he knows he wouldn't want to do that to her, though the warrior in him would like to think otherwise. Even if there's a chance he'd return. There's always a chance that he won't.

He looks back to Jackie eventually.]

I'll file them off myself if you die again. [He doesn't want to lose Jackie either.]

You're not the same Wrecker you used to be, Bulk.

[His head turns away.]

And you're better for it. The kid looks up to you. Before you came, ya shoulda seen her eyes light up when you came into the picture. You're everything to that kid.

[Those wings droop down. He hated telling Bulkhead this, as if he wasn't already conflicted.]

I couldn't do that to you. And I'll take whatever beatin' you dish out. It ain't gonna change my mind.

...I'll try not to.

[He vents a sigh.]

I know she does. [This wasn't the first time she nearly lost him either. Not the first time she's shed tears over the thought. This was just the most serious. For all intensive purposes he shouldn't be alive, there was no quick rebound from it this time. Even if is better than he was when he first arrived here.]

I know what I mean to her...what she means to me. [Why they are so attached to each other is still strange. They haven't even known each other that long. Yet he'd do anything for her, and to keep her safe. He recalls her desperate excitement when she realized he was here. Like she hadn't seen him in years.]

I'm still a fighter, still a Wrecker at heart. [He's just got somebody else to look out for too. But hasn't stopped him before, he just has to make sure she's safe from harm.

Oh Primus, don't droop those wings, he hates it when you do that. His grip on Wheeljack's shoulder tightens, wanting to pull the Wrecker in for another hug but holding off. Expression sad, but he understands.]

I know you wouldn't, but you got people who care and worry about you too. [Including him.]

[Wheeljack sees that face, and those brows soften. Primus, Bulk, you're making it real hard for him to remain the tough guy he's built up his persona to be. And when that hand grips tight on his shoulder...

Okay, maybe just this once.

He wraps those arms around Bulkhead, squeezing as tight as he could around the big lug. His eyes are shut as tight as they'd go, as if he opened them...he'd pull away. As long as he blinded himself to this kind of affection, it wouldn't ruin what he'd worked so hard to build a wall around.]

I don't see why. I'm not the classiest of bots.

You-

[And suddenly a hug. From Wheeljack.]

[...

Oh Jackie.]

[He wraps his arms around him again, closing his own optics.]

After the millennia I've known ya, you think I care? [He likes you the way you are.]

[And Wheeljack buries himself into that hug. Bulkhead was good at that. Being the one to hold onto. As rare as it was for that to happen.]

Heh...how do you put up with my aft, Bulk?

[There's a small smile on his lips, and for a moment, he lets down that stone wall.]

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[Video/Action] [Originating from Solian Temple]

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[Action] Frag, been trying to write this for days. /headdesk

[Action] No problem!

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[Action] Dear god, what is this TL;DR

[Action] It's FEELINGS that's what.

[Action] Damn these bots and their feels.

[Action] god dammit

[Action] 1/4

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[Action] Done

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